15 - Jesus rises from the dead

(May be omitted on Good Friday)

We adore you O Christ and we bless you

Allbecause
by your holy cross

you have redeemed the world.

Bible Reading - Mark 16:4-8

When they
looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been
rolled back. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in
a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6But he said
to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they
laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going
ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ 8So they went
out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they
said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.*

Reflection

How
do you imagine the Resurrection?Is it
like a nuclear reaction, equivalent to the big bang at the beginning of
creation?Is it an explosion of energy
that can’t be contained?However it
takes place the shockwaves travel through everything.As Jesus is a concentration of God’s presence
in his creation, so the resurrection breaks the confines that were required for
his earthly ministry.This takes place
unseen and by definition can’t be seen.It is what follows that leads his friends and followers to the gradual
understanding.Death could not contain
him and the sign of defeat fixed to his cross has become a banner of victory.Christ who died is risen.Alleluia!